Brooklyn's Best

Yesterday, D'Souza and I went to Brooklyn. It must be noted that yesterday's rain rivaled a monsoon drizzle but in my open-toed heels and flimsy umbrella it could have been a tornado.

Having skipped breakfast and lunch (yes, I did begin my day with a trusty frappuccino--no I have not quit!), my hypoglycemic index was admittedly through the roof as we trudged through a maze of subway connections to arrive in Prospect Heights--really Crown Heights. He balked at the vast number of unemployed hoodlums lining the subway tiles. I pretended not to notice.

He shook his head as we walked along a desolate road to an apartment building that resembled the projects. Now, I must admit that elitism reigned, as we both stared dumb-founded at the Communistic concrete barrack that greeted us in a forlorn neighborhood void of white people. Yes, he said white people. I would have gone with suited people, but we'll take it for what it is. I avoided a long discussion on race with him--which I am fond of getting myself into with any and all who will indulge me--perhaps the only thing I hold onto idealistically is the notion that all people should be equal and thus treated as such. Yes, I am well aware that the world does not operate in this way.

I digress. As we milled around miserable in the rain I addressed the Jersey City issue. He was a sweetheart and didn't push a state change in my future address, but as I sit here and type I'm not sure what it is that I am fighting for...Manhattan is egregiously expensive for a tiny space where windows are luxury commodities and every expense carries a hefty preminum for being provided on this island. Yet the convenience of doing my groceries at 3am, should I so desire and a subway that always takes my drunk ass home just can't measure against a drastic change in lifestyle required if I move to Jersey City or even Brooklyn. I'm fighting for my way of life here. My method of being...of breathing...of pursuing happiness.

God Damn It, I work at the ACLU...Living here is an exercise in my liberty as a civilian of the American Nation...albeit a non-unionized exercise. For the simple reason that I WANT TO...I continue to live and dream and hope and wait to exhale in the one and only Big Apple.